Spain: 4 new HD and 1 SD DTT channels

From David Del Valle in Madrid

The Spanish government plans to award 5 new DTT licences for the launch of 4HD and 1SD channels in 2015.

The minister of Industry, José Manuel Soria, has announced the plans confirming that the Spain’s new DTT map will be composed of 8 DTT multiplexes, of which three will be operated by public broadcasters (2 by RTVE and 1 by Regional broadcasters) and five by private TV stations.

The government will face in autumn the DTT migration process with the present broadcasters changing to another frequency range as a result of the digital dividend.
Jose Manuel Soria said that the change must be completed by January 1, 2015 and the cost will reach €250 million to adjust the aerials of 10 million homes. In the initial plan approved by the previous Government, in late 2011, there were fifteen million affected households and the planned cost was €800 million.
The Government will approve a detailed plan in September obliging broadcasters to simulcast their transmissions until the migration process is completed.